Summer has a way of making every hairstyle decision feel more urgent. The heat, the humidity, the sweat, the beach, the pool, the endless outdoor plans — your hair has to work harder in summer than any other season and it has to look good doing it. A style that works perfectly in January can completely fall apart by July.
The best summer hairstyles are the ones that keep you cool, hold up through the heat, and still look like you made an effort even when the temperature is doing everything it can to undo your morning routine. Whether you have long hair, medium hair, natural curls, or you are looking for a fresh men’s cut for the season, this list covers all of it.
These are 20 summer hairstyles for women and men that actually work when the sun is at its worst and the days are at their longest.
Women’s Summer Hairstyles
1. Beachy Waves
Beachy waves are the defining summer hairstyles for long hair look because they are supposed to look like the sun and salt water did the work for you. Wrap sections of hair loosely around a curling wand, alternate directions, and then scrunch in a sea salt spray while everything is still warm. Let it air dry the rest of the way.
The more relaxed and imperfect the waves look, the better they read as genuine beach hair. This style also holds up surprisingly well in humid summer conditions because the texture is already built in. A little anti-humidity spray over the top keeps frizz at bay through the hottest days.
2. High Messy Bun
The high messy bun is the most honest summer hairstyles easy option because it does exactly what summer requires — gets every bit of hair completely off your neck in the fastest way possible. Pull your hair up, wrap it into a bun, let a few pieces fall naturally around your face, and call it done.
The messier it looks, the more intentional it actually reads in summer because clean polished styles feel out of place on a hot July afternoon. Add a claw clip instead of an elastic if you want the bun to look a little more styled with almost zero extra effort.
3. Box Braids for Summer
Box braids are one of the most popular summer hairstyles for black women because they are a complete protective style that requires almost no daily maintenance through the hottest months. Once they are in, your natural hair is protected from the sun, the sweat, and the chlorine, and you wake up every morning with a fully styled look.
Medium length box braids are especially popular for summer because they are light enough to keep you cool while still giving you plenty of styling options. You can wear them down, pull them into a high ponytail, or twist them into a bun depending on the occasion. For more braid styles and techniques, our braids hairstyles guide has everything you need.
4. Fulani Braids
Fulani braids are one of the most stunning summer hairstyles braids options for Black women who want a protective style with real cultural beauty and personality. The signature center cornrow, the loose braids on either side, the small beads, and sometimes a thin forehead braid all come together into a look that is completely distinctive and gorgeous.
They are lightweight, comfortable in the heat, and can last for weeks with proper maintenance. The beads can be gold, silver, or colorful depending on your personal style and the summer outfits you want to pair them with. Our cornrow hairstyles guide covers braiding patterns and techniques worth checking out before your next braiding appointment.
5. Protective Twist Out for Summer
A twist out in summer gives you defined, stretched natural curls that hold their shape even in humidity because the twisting process sets the curl pattern before you expose it to the heat. This is one of the best summer hairstyles black women with natural hair rely on because it works with your texture rather than against it.
Do your twists on freshly washed, well-moisturized hair the night before, let them set completely overnight, then unravel them in the morning. The result is soft, elongated curls with beautiful definition that last through the whole day even in high heat and humidity.
6. Curly Summer Pineapple
The pineapple is the ultimate summer hairstyles curly hair style because it keeps all your curl volume up and off your neck while the heat index climbs. Gather everything to the very top of your head and secure it loosely with a satin scrunchie, letting the curls fan out and fall forward.
It is perfect for beach days, pool days, and any outdoor summer occasion where you want your curls to look cute without sweating through a more complicated style. For more curly hair ideas across all seasons and occasions, our curly hair hairstyles guide is worth bookmarking.
7. Low Braided Ponytail for Summer
A low braided ponytail keeps your hair off your neck without the bulk of a bun and is one of the most practical summer hairstyles for medium hair. Pull everything back into a low ponytail and then braid from the elastic downward. Secure the end with a small elastic and you have a style that stays neat through a full summer day.
It works beautifully on straight, wavy, and curly medium hair and requires almost no product. This is also a great summer hairstyles for school option because it is neat enough for a classroom and casual enough for after-school activities.
8. French Braid Crown for Summer
A French braid crown keeps every strand off your face and neck while looking genuinely elegant, which makes it one of the most wearable summer hairstyles braids options for outdoor events, summer weddings, and garden parties. Braid from one side around the perimeter of your head, pin the end in place, and the style holds all day without any touching up.
Medium length hair is actually ideal for this style because the braid does not become so long that it gets heavy or difficult to pin. For more braid style techniques, our hairstyles for medium length hair guide has great variations worth trying this season.
9. Curtain Bangs with Summer Waves
Curtain bangs combined with loose waves is one of those summer hairstyles easy enough to style in minutes but polished enough to wear anywhere. The bangs frame the face softly without requiring constant trimming and they work with the natural movement that summer humidity actually creates in your hair.
Blow dry the bangs outward with a round brush, let the rest of your hair wave naturally or with a quick wand pass, and you have a complete summer look that takes about ten minutes from start to finish.
10. Space Buns for Summer School
Space buns are one of the most popular summer hairstyles for school because they keep hair completely off the neck and face during hot school days while looking fun and youthful. Divide your hair down the center, twist each half into a bun at the top of your head, and pin firmly.
They work on medium and long hair, take about five minutes, and stay in place through an entire school day even in summer heat. A little hair spray over the top keeps any flyaways smooth. For more school-ready hairstyle ideas, our 15 easy hairstyles you can actually do yourself guide has plenty of quick options for busy mornings.
Men’s Summer Hairstyles
11. Buzz Cut
The buzz cut is the most practical summer hairstyles men can choose because it eliminates the hair problem entirely. No product, no styling, no heat trapping, no sweat soaking into long hair. Just clean, cool, low-maintenance hair that looks intentional and sharp all season long.
It suits most face shapes, takes about fifteen minutes at the barber, and grows out evenly so it looks good at every stage through the summer. If you have never tried a buzz cut before, summer is the perfect time to go for it.
12. Textured Crop
The textured crop is one of the most popular summer hairstyles men are wearing right now because it is short enough to stay cool but styled enough to look put together. Short on the sides, slightly longer on top with texture worked through using a small amount of matte paste or clay.
It requires minimal product, dries almost instantly after a shower, and holds its shape even in humidity. Ask your barber for a textured crop with a skin fade on the sides for the cleanest summer version of this cut. For more men’s hair inspiration, our gents long hair style guide covers styling ideas across different lengths.
13. Man Bun for Summer
For men with longer hair, the man bun is the summer solution that keeps everything off the neck while still looking intentional and stylish. Pull your hair back and twist it into a bun at the crown or nape, secure with an elastic, and leave a few shorter pieces to frame the face naturally.
It is one of the most versatile summer hairstyles men with medium to long hair can wear because it works for the beach, casual days out, and even semi-formal summer occasions depending on how clean and tight you make the bun.
14. French Crop with Fade
The French crop with a fade is a clean, modern summer hairstyles men cut that looks fresh all season long with minimal maintenance. The short fringe falls forward on the forehead and the clean fade on the sides keeps everything sharp and airy. It needs almost no product to style — just a small amount of matte clay worked through the fringe on damp hair.
It is one of the most requested summer cuts at the barber right now because it works on most hair types including straight, wavy, and even slightly curly hair without requiring any heat styling.
15. Slicked Back Undercut
The slicked back undercut is a summer hairstyles men option that leans more dressed-up while still being completely practical in the heat. The shaved or very short sides remove all the bulk and heat from the sides of your head while the longer top is slicked back with a light hold pomade that keeps it in place without weighing it down.
It works for casual summer days and more formal summer events equally well, making it one of the most versatile men’s summer styles on this list.
16. Curly Men’s Summer Hair
Men with natural curly hair often do the least with it in summer when the truth is that summer humidity is actually your curl’s best friend when you know how to work with it. Apply a light curl cream to damp hair, scrunch upward, and let it air dry completely without touching it.
The result is defined, healthy-looking curls that look effortlessly styled and work perfectly in the summer heat. Keep the sides trimmed shorter if the volume gets too much but let the natural curl texture on top do exactly what it wants to do.
17. Braided Men’s Summer Style
Cornrow braids for men are one of the most practical and stylish summer hairstyles men with natural hair can choose. They lay completely flat, they protect your natural hair from sun damage and sweat, and they require zero daily maintenance once they are in. For men who want to get through the entire summer without thinking about their hair at all, cornrows are the answer.
Straight back cornrows are the most popular summer choice because they are clean, athletic, and work for every occasion from the beach to a summer event. Our cornrow hairstyles guide covers patterns and care tips in detail.
18. Side Part Taper for Summer
The side part taper is a classic summer hairstyles men style that never goes out of fashion because it is clean, professional, and works in every setting from a summer office to a beach wedding. A defined part combed to one side with a clean taper on the sides creates a polished look that takes about two minutes to style with a comb and a small amount of light hold pomade.
It works on straight and slightly wavy hair and always photographs cleanly which makes it a great choice for summer events where pictures are involved.
19. Long Summer Waves for Men
Men with longer hair who want to keep their length through the summer just need to manage the heat and humidity rather than fight it. Long natural waves on men look completely at home in summer and the season’s humidity often helps create more natural wave texture than you would get in drier months.
Keep long summer hair healthy with a good leave-in conditioner, pull it back into a bun or half up style when the heat gets intense, and trim the ends every six to eight weeks to keep it looking fresh. For more long hair styling ideas, our gents long hair style guide is a great resource for the season.
20. High Top Fade for Summer
The high top fade is one of the most bold and celebrated summer hairstyles men with natural hair can wear. The clean fade removes all the bulk from the sides while the natural hair on top is shaped into a flat top or left slightly rounded for a more relaxed version. It is one of those cuts that looks better the sharper the fade is kept, so a touch-up every two to three weeks through the summer keeps it looking fresh.
It works for casual summer days and dressed-up occasions equally well and brings serious personality and confidence to any summer look.
Final Thoughts
Summer is not the season to fight your hair. It is the season to find the styles that work with the heat, the humidity, and your natural texture rather than against them. Whether you are a woman looking for a protective braid that lasts all season, a curly hair lover who wants styles that hold up in the heat, or a man looking for a fresh cut that keeps you cool all summer, there is something on this list that was made for your hair and your summer.
Find the one or two styles that suit your hair type and your routine, get comfortable with them before the hottest days arrive, and let your summer hair be the least stressful thing about the season.
For more hairstyle inspiration across every season and occasion, browse our complete women’s hairstyles collection and men’s hairstyles collection for your next favorite look.
